ATTENDEES: Andersen, Collins, Ganesh, Jesudason, Martins, Mishra, Mooney, Romberger, and Vincent

APOLOGIES: Dagdelen, McKinnon, Petr, and Walls

GUESTS: Nigel Middleton - Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty, Arthur Sacks - Associate Vice President for Academic and Faculty Affairs, Tom Boyd - Dean of Graduate Studies, Terry Parker - Head of Engineering Division, Robert Applegate - President, CSM Graduate Student Association, and Regina Hutchings - ASCSM Undergraduate Student Representative

Mishra, Senate President, called the meeting to order and welcomed the guests.

COMMENTS FROM GUESTS:

1. Nigel Middleton - The administration would like to see a new degree in bio engineering/chemical engineering offered at CSM. This would need to be done without increasing the number of required credit hours for a degree in chemical engineering. Curriculum would have to be aligned with CSM's mission. CSM has a void in the biological science offerings. By not offering this degree has a negative impact on CSM's student demographics

   Bio sciences fit our role and mission stance. Unfortunately, the geo sciences and related geo engineering fields are declining around the world. CSM, however, needs to stay in these fields and should look at this as an opportunity because so many others are pulling out of these areas. Many freshmen students do not understand these areas and are not exposed to them until they arrive at CSM.

   Bio engineering needs to be represented in the core curriculum.,/p>

2. Arthur Sacks - Proposed changes to the Faculty Handbook are on the web. Comments should be sent to Academic Affairs by close of business on April 9, 2007. Changes include the formal formation of a university sustainability committee.

   Reorganization possibilities have been circulated to the CSM faculty. Please submit your comments to Senate President Mishra who will relay them to the reorganization task force.

3. Robert Applegate - The research fair will be April 19th. Judges are needed for this event. Please contact Robert if you are or if you know someone who would be willing to be a judge.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: The March 6, 2007 Faculty Senate Minutes were approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Honesty Policy - After a lengthy discussion, it was the consensus of the Senate to add to the Undergraduate Bulletin the student honor code as stated in the Brunton. The honor code will remain in the Brunton.

2. Grade Appeal Process - Boyd announced that this was discussed at Graduate Council. There were some concerns about the wording. This is being checked out with CSM Legal Services. Senate should have Graduate Council's recommendation at its April 10th meeting.

3. Honors Recognition - Jesudason distributed the following possible policy:

   Existing text in Undergraduate Bulletin

   Graduation Awards

   Graduation awards are determined by the student's cumulative academic record at the end of the preceding semester. For example, the overall grade-point average earned at the end of the fall term determines the awarding of high honors for the purposes of May commencement. Students achieving a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or above at the end of the preceding term will have "High Honors" inscribed on the metal diploma as well as the official transcript.

   Metal diplomas for undergraduates are ordered well before the commencement ceremony and cannot include grade calculations for the term of completion (spring term in the above example). Students achieving a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or above only at the end of their undergraduate career will have "High Honors" listed on the official transcript. The student may choose to order an additional metal diploma at the student's own expense from the Registrar's Office.

   Possible text pending the outcome and decision(s) made by Faculty Council

   Graduation Awards

   Colorado School of Mines awards the designations of Cum Laude (Honors), Magna Cum Laude (High Honors), and Summa Cum Laude (Highest Honors) upon graduation. These designations are based on the following minimum overall grade-point averages:
   3.5 - Cum Laude (Honors)
   3.7 - Magna cum Laude (High Honors)
   3.9 - Summa cum Laude (Highest Honors)

   Graduation awards are determined by the student's cumulative academic record at the end of the preceding semester. The overall grade-point average earned at the end of the fall term determines the awarding of the appropriate honors for the purposes of May commencement. For example, students achieving a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 to 3.69 at the end of the preceding term will have "Cum Laude" inscribed on the metal diploma as well as the official transcript.

   Metal diplomas for undergraduates are ordered well before the commencement ceremony. Potential grades in registered courses cannot be included in grade calculations for the term of completion (spring term in the above example). Students achieving a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or above only at the end of their undergraduate career will have the appropriate honor listed on the official transcript. The student may choose to order an additional metal diploma at the student's own expense from the Registrar's Office.

   In addition to the above mentioned honors, the top student from the graduating class will be awarded the designation of "Highest Honors - Outstanding Student in Class." This designation is awarded to the student with the highest grade-point average who completed the most resident credit hours at the Colorado School of Mines.

   The Senators recommended that the grade point averages be carried out three places for clarification. Jesudason will take this back to the Undergraduate Council.

4. Metal Diplomas - It was the consensus of the Senate that accurate diplomas be given to each graduate and because of the final exam schedule, the Undergraduate Council should recommend that metal diplomas not be given at the commencement ceremonies but mailed to the graduate later. The student representative present agreed with this recommendation. Boyd reminded the Senate that the Graduate Council is behind this recommendation and had made a similar decision a year ago.

5. Senate Retreat Agenda - Mishra reminded the Senate that the retreat begins at 8:00 am March 30th with breakfast in Hill Hall 300. The three topics on the agenda are 1) curriculum reform 2) academic reorganization, and 3) Senate operations. Lunch will be served about noon. The retreat should end at 1:30 pm.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Senate Distinguished Lecturer for 2007 - Mishra announced that nominations can still be made. The nominations will be given to the Senate Distinguished Lecturer Committee next week.

2. Communication of Senate Decisions - Mishra asked the Senators to review the spreadsheet listing Senate actions this academic year and to send their comments to him before the April 10th meeting. The spreadsheet will be forwarded to the vice presidents at the end of the academic year.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

1. Senate Committees
   1. Faculty Affairs Committee - Vincent announced that the committee has resolved one grade appeal.

2. Senate Councils
   1. Graduate Council
      1. A motion by Collins and seconded by Vincent to approve the following graduate degree name change from "engineering systems" to "engineering." Motion passed unanimously.
      2. A motion by Collins and seconded by Ganesh to approve a proposal from the Department of Mathematical and Computer Science to change their course prefixes from MACS to MATH for the mathematics courses and CSCI for the computer science courses. Motion passed unanimously.
      3. Information on the creation of a new graduate certificate program in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering will be given to the Senate at their April 10th meeting.

   2. Research Council - Collins reported that the council is discussing research compliance. They are also investigating for ways to effectively disseminate this information and train the CSM community on research compliance.

3. University Committees
   1. Sustainability - A motion by Collins and seconded by Vincent to endorse Climate Action Days on April 19-20, 2007 was passed unanimously by the Senate.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. The next Senate meeting will be April 10, 2007 in Hill Hall room 300 at 2:00 pm.

2. Senate retreat will be March 30, 2007 from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm in Hill Hall room 300.

The meeting adjourned at 3:45 pm.